Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 31
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
प्रथमा सर्वदेवानां मन्वाद्या देवयोनयः मृगपक्षी च पशवश् चतुर्धा तु सरीसृपाः
prathamā sarvadevānāṃ manvādyā devayonayaḥ mṛgapakṣī ca paśavaś caturdhā tu sarīsṛpāḥ
La première classe est celle de tous les dieux ; à partir de Manu se trouvent les lignées nées du divin. Il y a aussi les cervidés (bêtes sauvages), les oiseaux et les animaux domestiques ; et l’on dit que les reptiles sont de quatre sortes.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Creation taxonomy for teaching hierarchical categories of beings (deva-yoni, manu-lineages, animals, birds, reptiles), used in puranic instruction, vrata-kathā framing, and ethical reflection on ahimsa and conduct toward living beings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Yoni-bheda: devas, manu-lineages, animals, birds, and fourfold reptiles","lookup_keywords":["deva-yoni","manu-ādi","mṛga","pakṣin","sarisṛpa caturdhā"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates major birth-classes: divine lineages beginning with Manu, then wild beasts, birds, domesticated animals, and reptiles classified into four types—serving as a compact map of living categories."}
Concept: Recognizing graded embodiments (yonis) as part of sarga supports dharmic restraint and compassion, and frames human life as a morally significant station.
Application: Use the taxonomy to ground teachings on ahiṃsā, appropriate offerings, and conduct toward different beings (domestic vs wild, etc.).
Khanda Section: Sarga / Cosmology (Creation taxonomy of beings)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A creation-catalog tableau: gods above, Manu and progenitors in the middle, and below them grouped scenes of deer/wild beasts, birds, cattle/domestic animals, and a panel of reptiles divided into four subtypes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, tiered registers: devas in upper band, Manu with sages in central band, lower band with stylized fauna groups; reptiles shown in four compartments, bold outlines and flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gilded devas at top, Manu enthroned with sages, below richly ornamented animal vignettes; reptiles in a decorative four-part cartouche, gold accents throughout.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, didactic grouping with labels for mṛga/pakṣin/paśu/sarisṛpa, gentle naturalism, clear compartmentalization for the four reptile kinds.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic studies of animals and birds arranged in bands, with a small courtly depiction of Manu and celestial figures above; fine detailing of reptile varieties in four panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: manvādyā → manu-ādyāḥ; paśavaś → paśavaḥ (visarga before c-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84.30–84.32 (continuation of yoni enumeration)
FAQs
It provides a technical taxonomy of living beings (yonis/species-groups), useful for Puranic cosmology, dharma discussions (purity rules), and later ritual contexts where categories of beings matter.
By cataloging beings—gods, Manu-linked divine lineages, animals, birds, and fourfold reptiles—it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s compendium style that organizes knowledge across cosmology, genealogy, and natural classification.
Recognizing graded categories of beings supports a dharmic worldview of karma and rebirth (yoni), encouraging ethical restraint toward different life-forms and clarity in purity/impurity considerations.